Personal safe breathing device

ABSTRACT

Described are concepts that generally relate to a personal positive pressure purified air environment for airplane travel. Simply put, certain embodiments of the present invention are directed to connecting a tube to an airplane air vent at one end and a clear plastic hood, mask, or helmet at the other end. The clear plastic hood, mask, or helmet all have an exit path for the air to flow out. In relation to the clear plastic hood embodiment, it is envisioned that the clear plastic hood can simply drape over person&#39;s head with the hood&#39;s opening at or above a person shoulder while positive pressure from the filtered air constantly flows out from the hood&#39;s opening.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a non-provisional application claiming priority toand the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.63/003,880, entitled Personal Safe Breathing Device filed Apr. 1, 2020,the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present embodiments are directed to a personal purified airenvironment that covers a person's head.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

One of the major concerns when traveling in an airplane is exposure toviruses and bacteria from adjacent passengers. Though most passengerairplanes provide filtered air by way of adjustable air vents locatedabove the rows of passenger seating, passengers still get sick.Accordingly, most passengers either wear facemasks in an attempt tofilter out germs or simply hope for the best.

FIG. 1A shows a photograph of individual adjustable air vents 120 in astandard overhead passenger service unit 150, located above passengerseats (not shown). For reference, overhead passenger service units 150are typically located on the underside of the bottom shelf use foroverhead carry-on baggage. Each of the three air vents 120 direct apressurized stream of filtered air to a corresponding passenger locationat one of three seats in a row of seats. In this particular arrangement,the adjustable air vents 120 can be twisted in one direction to open andthe other direction to close and can further be swiveled to direct airover a passenger or in a manner that suits the passenger 101, FIG. 1B.The adjustable air vents 120 are typically smooth and are not configuredto connect with anything, they simply exist to direct a stream offiltered air through the cabin environment 210 towards the sittingpassenger.

FIG. 1B illustratively depicts a line drawing of a passenger 101 sittingunder an air vent 120. As is shown, the air vent 120 directs a stream offiltered air 125 at the passenger's head 100. Because the stream offiltered air 125 is filtered by a central onboard filter system,typically a High-Efficiency Particle Filter (HEPA), passengers areencouraged to point the filtered air at their face, i.e., their eyes110, nose 108 and mouth 106. Some airlines promote that HEPA filtersfilter over 99% of microbes on a plane. Even with these measures, mostpeople experience catching respiratory illnesses, stomach bugs and otherforms of illness directly on airplanes making it an unsavory environmentfor many.

It is to innovations related to this subject matter that the claimedinvention is generally directed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present embodiments are directed to a personal positive pressurepurified air environment for airplane travel and/or personal use in anon-travel environment or application.

Some embodiments of the present invention contemplate a protectiveairplane hood arrangement comprising a hood defining a hood interiorhaving an upper half and a lower half and further defining a hood crownthat is configured to interface a human head apex. The hood is sized tocover a person's head and terminating in a hood exit rim/opening that isbetween a person's chin and their shoulders. A tube extends between aproximal end and a distal end wherein the distal end comprises anoverhead airplane ventilation nozzle coupling (coupling). The proximalend in communication with the hood interior wherein the hood interior incommunication with the coupling. The coupling is configured to connectto an overhead airplane ventilation nozzle. The tube is configured tochannel air from the overhead airplane ventilation nozzle and into thehood interior within 4 inches vertically from the hood crown.

Yet another embodiment of the present invention contemplates a hoodarrangement comprising a hood defining a hood interior, a hood crown anda hood exit rim. The hood exit rim is configured to pull over a person'shead until the hood cover's the person's head. A hollow tube extendsfrom the hood and attaches to an overhead airplane ventilation nozzle ata distal tube end of the tube via an overhead airplane ventilationnozzle coupling (coupling). Pressurized air that is dispensed from theoverhead airplane ventilation nozzle flows from a proximal end of thehollow tube towards and through the hood exit rim.

Still other certain embodiments of the present invention contemplate anairplane filtered air hood system comprising a hood configured to covera person's head. The hood system further including a hollow tube thatextends from the hood to be connected to an overhead airplaneventilation nozzle via an overhead airplane ventilation nozzle coupling.A hood interior of the hood is in communication with the overheadairplane ventilation nozzle via the hollow tube. A hood exit rimreceives channeled filtered air from inside of the hood wherein thefiltered air is exclusively provided by the overhead airplaneventilation nozzle via the hollow tube.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A shows a photograph of individual adjustable air vents in astandard overhead passenger service unit 150, located above passengerseats;

FIG. 1B illustratively depicts a line drawing of a passenger sittingunder an air vent;

FIG. 2 illustratively depicts a line drawing of a shoulder length hoodand vent tube embodiment consistent with embodiments of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 illustratively depicts a line drawing of a neck length hood andvent tube embodiment consistent with embodiments of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 illustratively depicts a line drawing embodiment of a shoulderlength hood and vent tube configured with a hat consistent withembodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustratively depicts a line drawing embodiment of a helmetconnected to an airplane vent consistent with embodiments of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustratively depict line drawings of a facemaskembodiment consistent with embodiments of the present invention;

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustratively depict a valve system used with apositive pressure filtered air environment consistent with embodimentsof the present invention;

FIG. 8A it is a line drawing of two passengers sitting on an airplanewith the hood 200 consistent with embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 8B is a line drawing of a woman wearing the hood and hatcombination in an environment other than the airplane consistent withembodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 9A illustratively depicts a line drawing of a profile of a humanhead wearing a hat and hood combination consistent with embodiments ofthe present invention;

FIG. 9B illustratively shows an alternative embodiment of a hat and hoodcombination consistent with embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 9C is a line drawing of a person wearing an optional hat embodimentconsistent with embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 10 illustratively depicts yet another embodiment of an air deliverysystem consistent with embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 11A illustratively depicts an optional hat and hood combination 820consistent with embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 11B is a line drawing depicting another embodiment of a hat andhood combination consistent with embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 11C as a line drawing showing yet another embodiment of a hat andhood combination consistent with embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 11D as a line drawing showing a different embodiment of a hat andhood combination consistent with embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 11E illustratively depicts a line drawing of yet a differentembodiment of a hat and hood combination consistent with embodiments ofthe present invention;

FIG. 11F is a line drawing that illustratively depicts a person wearingyet a different embodiment of a hat and hood combination consistent withembodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 11G is a line drawing that illustratively depicts a person wearingyet another embodiment of a hat hood combination consistent withembodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a line drawing of a back view of a standing person wearing ahat and hood combination with a filter system consistent withembodiments of the present invention; and

FIGS. 13A and 13B show an example of a universal connector systemconsistent with embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Initially, this disclosure is by way of example only, not by limitation.Thus, although the instrumentalities described herein are for theconvenience of explanation, shown and described with respect toexemplary embodiments, it will be appreciated that the principles hereinmay be applied equally in other similar configurations involving similaruses of a personal positive pressure purified air environment apparatus.The phrases “in one embodiment”, “according to one embodiment”, and thelike generally mean the particular feature, structure, or characteristicfollowing the phrase is included in at least one embodiment of thepresent invention, and may be included in more than one embodiment ofthe present invention. Importantly, such phases do not necessarily referto the same embodiment. If the specification states a component orfeature “may”, “can”, “could”, or “might” be included or have acharacteristic, that particular component or feature is not required tobe included or have the characteristic. As used herein, the terms“having”, “have”, “including” and “include” are considered open languageand are synonymous with the term “comprising”. In what follows, similaror identical structures may be identified using identical callouts.

Certain embodiments of the present invention generally relate to apersonal positive pressure purified air environment for airplane travel.Simply put, certain embodiments of the present invention are directed toconnecting a tube to an airplane air vent 120 at one end and a clearplastic hood, mask, or helmet at the other end. The clear plastic hood,mask, or helmet all have an exit path for the air to flow out. Inrelation to the clear plastic hood embodiment, it is envisioned that theclear plastic hood can simply drape over person's head with the hood'sopening at or above a person shoulder while positive pressure from thefiltered air constantly flows out from the hood's opening.

FIG. 2 is a line drawing illustratively depicting a shoulder length hoodand vent tube embodiment in use consistent with embodiments of thepresent invention. As shown, a shoulder length clear plastic hood 200 iscovering a passenger's head 100 down to their shoulders 102. As positivepressure air 125 flows from the air vent 120, into the tube 202 via thetube's distal opening/end 216, and into the hood 200 through an intakeopening/aperture 206 near or at the top of the clear plastic hood 200.The inner hood environment 205 provides essentially purified air thatpositively flows 125 out from the hood's opening 203 at the bottom ofthe clear plastic hood 200. Because the filtered air 125 inside of theclear plastic hood 200 is flowing through the hood 200 and out of thebottom opening 203, bacteria and viruses that are otherwise in the mainairplane cabin's environment 210 will flow away from the bottom opening203. In this way, the passenger 101 is protected from germ exposure totheir eyes 110, nose 108 and mouth 106 that may be present in theoutside environment 210. The clear plastic hood 200 can include anantibacterial and/or antiviral coding on either the inside of the hood200, the outside of the hood 200 or both. Certain embodimentscontemplate the hood opening 203 having a wire rim, or armature, to keepthe hood 200 from collapsing around the passenger's neck 104 or body.Certain embodiments envision the hood 200 being a thin flexible hood(between 0.5-2 um thick), such as a clear plastic bag use fordry-cleaning, that a person can effortlessly see through and communicateto others while wearing. Other certain embodiments envision the bottomopening 203 being large enough for a person to easily pull the hood 200over their face 105 to eat, drink, or otherwise access their face 105,such as to apply an emergency air mask in time of need withoutdifficulty. For purposes of convention, the upper half of the hood 230covers the person's head apex 214, eyes 110 and at least part of theirnose 108. The top of the hood 200 defines a hood crown 212 that coversthe person's head apex 214 when worn. Certain embodiments envision thetube 202 feeding the pressurized filtered air 125 inside 205 of the hood200 within 4 inches vertically 222 from the hood crown 212. In thisembodiment, the tube's proximal end 218 is attached to the hood 200 at ahood aperture 220.

FIG. 3 illustratively depicts a simple line drawing of a neck lengthhood and vent tube embodiment consistent with embodiments of the presentinvention. As shown, a neck length clear plastic hood 300 is covering apassenger's head 100 just below their chin 112 (see FIG. 1B). Again, aflexible tube 202 is attached to an airplane filtered air vent 120thereby receiving filtered pressurized air 125 that flows through theflexible tube 202 and into the clear plastic hood 300 and out throughthe bottom opening 303. Even though the clear plastic hood 300 only goesto the passenger's neck 104 just below their chin 112, the inner hoodenvironment 205 will maintain positive pressure, just like in a cleanroom, thereby protecting the passenger 101 from germs floating aroundthe main cabin. Certain embodiments envision an anti-bacterial coatingon the outside, the inside or both of the head covering 300 (or othercoverings).

FIG. 4 illustratively depicts a simple line drawing embodiment of ashoulder length hood and vent tube configured with a hat consistent withembodiments of the present invention. As shown, a shoulder length hood400 is built in with a hat 402 that conforms to the top of a passenger'shead 100. The hat could be a simple rim 402 as shown, or could be abaseball cap, or some other kind of hat with the hood 400 draped overthe passengers head 100. So long as the clear plastic hood 400 canmaintain positive pressure 125 from the air vent 120 and flexible tube202 assembly to ensure a clean inner environment 205 free of germs fromthe main cabin. It should be appreciated that other length hoods canequally be used without departing from the scope and spirit of thepresent embodiment.

FIG. 5 illustratively depicts a simple line drawing embodiment of ahelmet connected to an airplane vent consistent with embodiments of thepresent invention. Here, a clear rigid helmet 500 is placed over apassenger's head 100. The clear rigid helmet 500 is connected to a theair vent 120 via a flexible tube 202 at the intake opening 206 therebycreating a filtered air inner environment 205 from the positive pressureof filtered air 125 flowing through the helmet base opening 502. Certainembodiments envision the clear rigid helmet 500 resting on the person'sshoulders 102 or on the top of their head 100, for example.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustratively depict simple line drawings of a facemaskembodiment consistent with embodiments of the present invention. Thefacemask embodiment 600 is a clear plastic facemask that covers asubstantial portion of a passenger's face 105, as shown. As shown by thefront view of FIG. 6A, the facemask 600 is connected to a flexible tube602 at one end, the flexible tube 602 connected to the air vent 120 atthe other end. Some embodiments envision the facemask 600 as being aunitary rigid clear mask that is retained on the passengers face 105 byway of an elastic strap 610. Again, filtered air 125 flowing from theair vent 120 creates filtered positive pressure air thereby creating afiltered air environment 205 that is continuously flushing over thepassenger's eyes 110, nose 108 and mouth 106. FIG. 6B depicts a sideview of the facemask embodiment whereby pressurized filtered air 125 canflow out along the open perimeter 612 of the facemask 600.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustratively depict a simple line drawing of a valvesystem used with a positive pressure filtered air environment consistentwith embodiments of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 7A, aspositive pressure from the filtered air 125 flows from the air vent 120through the flexible tube 202 a spring-loaded valve 704 embodiment isforced open thereby receiving the filtered pressurized air 125 via theintake opening/aperture 206. When the valve 704 is open to thepressurized filtered air 125, an ambient environment gate 702 closes anambient environment opening/aperture 710. In this way, positive pressurefrom the filtered air can maintain a substantially filtered airenvironment 205 inside of the head covering 700. If the positivepressure from the air vent 102 stops, i.e., the year vent shuts off,than the spring-loaded valve opens the ambient environment gate 702permitting ambient air 725 to flow into the head covering 702, FIG. 7B.This is a failsafe system in case the air vent 120 stops forcingfiltered air 125 into the head covering 700.

FIG. 8A it is a lined drawing illustration of two passengers 101 sittingon an airplane with the hood consistent with embodiments of the presentinvention. As shown here, the hood 200 is tented outward with somedistance away from the passenger's face 105 by the rim 752 of the hat750. Pressurized air is supplied from the air vent 120 through the inlettube 202 and into the hood 200. Some examples of a flexible inlet tube202 includes an expandable flex tube that can be shortened or lengthenedto adjust to the different geometries of the passenger and air ventlocation with an additional benefit of flexibly moving with thepassenger 101. Other embodiments envision at least one swivel connectorattached to the tube for ease of mobility. Certain embodiments furtherenvision a universal connector configured to connect to a plurality ofdifferent sized air vents 120, discussed in conjunction with FIGS. 13Aand 13B. As shown, the passengers 101 are having a conversation throughthe thin, clear plastic hoods 200 while filtered air 125 constantlyflows through the exit hood opening also referred to herein as an exitrim 203. In this embodiment, the hat comprises a strap 229 that can becinched under the passengers chin 112 to hold or otherwise retain thehat 750 on the passenger's head 100.

FIG. 8B is a line drawing illustration of a woman wearing the hood andhat combination 755 in an environment other than the airplane consistentwith embodiments of the present invention. Certain embodiments envisionthat the hood and hat combination 755 being used not only on an airplanebut elsewhere with the assistance of a portable (battery-powered)filtered air handling system 756, also referred to as simply “filterpump” 756. In the present embodiment, a woman is shopping with the hatand hood combination 755 while protected by a filtered air 125environment 205 within the hood 200. The filtered air environment 205 iscreated by pressurized air provided by the filter pump 756, which istransported to the hat and hood combination 755 via the flexible tube202. As with the airplane, the filtered air 125 flows through the hood200 and out through the hood opening 203 along the woman shoulders 102.Certain embodiments envision a universal connector 758 that can connectto both the airplane air vents 120 and a filter pump exit port/vent (notshown) extending from the filter pump 756. Accordingly, a person 101 canexit their car at the airport with their hood and hat combination 755,walk through the airport to their gate and board they airplane, all thewhile protected with the hood 200 infused with filtered air 125. Once onthe plane, the passenger 101 can simply unplug their flexible tube 202from their filter pump 756 and attach the flexible tube to the airplaneair vent 120 above their seat. When disembarking the airplane, thepassenger 101 can detach the flexible tube 202 from the airplane airvent 120 and reattach the flexible tube 202 to their filter pump 756.Obviously, there can be an on/off switch on the mobile battery-poweredfilter pump 756. Certain embodiments envision the filter pump 756pumping air into the hood 200 via a HEPA filter media system, which israted for over 99.9% filtration of 0.3 μm and larger particles. Otherfiltration media are envisioned either higher or lower filtration ratingthan a HEPA filter without departing from the scope and spirit of thepresent invention. Certain other embodiments envision a filter media,such as a HEPA filter or ULPA filter, in-line with the flexible tube 202whereby the battery-powered pump does not have to include a filter.

FIG. 9A illustratively depicts a line drawing of a profile of a humanhead wearing a hat and hood combination 770 consistent with embodimentsof the present invention. As shown, the hood 772 essentially covers abaseball hat 768 and dangles from the baseball hat bill 771 therebyproviding space between the person's face 105 and the hood 772. The hood772 can be manufactured to conform to the baseball hat 768 so that itfits in place. Some embodiments envision an elastic band or some otherretaining band fitting around the base of the baseball hat 768 on theoutside of the hood 772. In the present embodiment, the hood 772terminates along a bottom semi-rigid hood exit border 775, such as awire or semi-rigid polymer opening, which conforms to the wearer'sshoulders 102 and sternum. The semi-rigid hood exit border, or exitborder, 775 can be weighted to pull the hood 772 in a more taughtarrangement to further avoid obstructing the face 105 or having the hood772 touching the face 105. Filtered air 125 can be pressurized to flowthrough the flexible tube 202 and out through the semi-rigid hood exitborder 775. Certain embodiments envision a small gap between thesemi-rigid hood exit border 775 and the wearer's shoulders 102 andsternum in order to let the filtered air 125 flow out. In other words,there is an intentional space between the wire-rimmed and the wearer'sbody. Moreover, in this way if there is any kind of failure of the flowthrough the flexible tube 202 air (albeit unfiltered) can still seep inthrough the opening at the semi-rigid hood exit border 775 so that aperson is never deprived of oxygen. Other embodiments envision that thehood is made from a thin plastic bag of less than 1.0 μm thickness,which can be easily torn away by the wearer in case of a failure.

FIG. 9B illustratively shows an alternative embodiment of a hat and hoodcombination 776 consistent with embodiments of the present invention.The only difference of this hat and hood combination 776 with that ofFIG. 9A, is that the bottom opening/exit rim 769 is a perforated hollowtube that is attached directly 761 to the flexible air intake tube 202.In addition to filtered air 125 gently pouring down across the wearer'sface 105, filtered air 125 additionally flows out along the bottom ofthe hood 772 to further discourage the movement of germs (bacteria,viruses, mold, or other contaminants) into the inner hood environment205. In other words, the perforations 762 prevent any dead space alongthe opening 203 thereby preventing the likelihood of germs from goinginto the inner hood environment 205. Certain other embodiments envisiona flexible tube 202A that ports filtered air to the hat bill 771providing filtered air to flow over the person's face 105. In thepresent embodiment, the flexible tube 202A is connected to theperforated bottom opening rim 769 at connection point/location 763 andconnecting to the hat bill 771 at the bill connection location 764.

FIG. 9C is a line drawing of a person wearing an optional hat embodimentconsistent with embodiments of the present invention. This hat and hoodcombination embodiment 780 generally comprises a hat 788 with a largerbill 781 stretching along a significant portion of the opening of hat788. In this embodiment, the bill 781 can further possess a perforatedtube 783 attach to the brim 782 with the plurality of perforationsthrough which filtered air 125 can pour over the person's face 105. Itis envisioned that air pouring through perforations 784 in theperforated tube 783 can flow over the person's face 105 away from theireyes 110. The filtered air 125 is envisioned to have enough pressure toflow positively out of the bottom opening 103 along the semi-rigid hoodexit border 775. It should be appreciated that the embodiments presentedin combination with FIGS. 9A-9C, as well as all other embodimentspresented herein, can be mixed and matched without departing from thescope and spirit of the present invention.

FIG. 10 illustratively depicts yet another embodiment of an air deliverysystem consistent with embodiments of the present invention. A portable(battery-powered) filtered air handling system 756 embodiment caninclude any number of “on the market” filtered pumps that can provideenough pressure to positively flow filtered air into a hat and hoodarrangement. As shown, unfiltered/ambient air 126 is sucked in throughthe filter media 812, which in certain embodiments is a HEPA filter oroptionally an ULPA filter, pushing filtered air 125 into the filteredair distribution unit 800. A shortened version of the flexible tube 202is intended to be connected to the filtered air distribution unit 800via the connection port 806 in the direction of the arrow 808. When thefiltered air distribution unit 800 is connected to the filter pump 756via the flexible tube 202, air pump from the filter pump 756 isdistributed through the hollow unit/housing 800 and out through anoutlet slot 804. In the present embodiment, the filtered airdistribution unit 800 is fanned out as shown and further comprises aflat top surface 802 that can be attached to the underside of a hatbrim, such as by adhesive or bolts just to name a couple of fasteningembodiments that would be known and understood by those skilled in theart. In the present embodiment, the outlet slot 804 is tilted downwardto help point the flow over a person's face. One or more of the filteredair distribution units 800 can be interconnected and attach to variouslocations on the bottom (underneath side) of a hat brim.

FIG. 11A illustratively depicts an optional hat and hood combination 820consistent with embodiments of the present invention. The hood and hatcombination 820 includes a full brimmed hat 821, at least one filteredair distribution unit 800 attached to the underside of the brim 823, anda front-paneled hood 824. More specifically, the hood 824 covers the hat821 with a semi-rigid hoop/ring 822 along the edge of the brim 823 and apair of semi-rigid vertical supports 818 that extend from the semi-rigidhoop 822 to the semi-rigid hood exit border 775. The vertical supports818 provide some structure distance of the thin plastic hood 824 from aperson's face 105. In the present embodiment, the vertical supports 818are positioned in a “V-Shape”, but could just as easily be arrangedalong different paths, such as parallel, oval, circular, etc. Certainembodiments envision the semi-rigid vertical supports 818 made out of apolymer strip, metal wire, or some other material that allows for somebending movement. Attached the underside of the brim 823 is a filteredair distribution unit 800 depicting filtered air 125 exiting the outletslot 804. The filtered air distribution unit 800 is connected to afilter pump 756 by way of a universal connector 758. Certain embodimentsenvision the universal connector 750 being configured to attach, orclamp to a filter pump port nozzle (not shown) and an airplane air vent120. Some embodiments envision a region near or on the exit border 775comprising Velcro or other material that sticks to clothing with lowadhesive force to easily stick on and pull off. In this embodiment,there needs to be at least a small gap between a person's shoulders 102and sternum and the exit border 775 for the filtered air 125 topositively flow from the hood to maintain a reasonably pure inner hoodenvironment 205.

FIG. 11B is a line drawing depicting another embodiment of a hat andhood combination consistent with embodiments of the present invention.The hat and hood combination embodiment 829 generally comprises thefeatures described in FIG. 11A, however a semicircular orsemi-elliptical semi-rigid hoop 826 is attached to the two semi-rigidvertical supports 818 to provide more of a tent-like arrangement withthe hood 827. The semi-rigid hoop 826 can also be made out of wire, apliable but semi-rigid polymer or some other material within the scopeand spirit of the present invention.

FIG. 11C is a line drawing showing yet another embodiment of a hat andhood combination consistent with embodiments of the present invention.The hat and hood combination embodiment 831 generally comprises a fullbrimmed hat 821 with a hoop around the brim 822 and a second hoop 828 inpositioned between (and including) a person's nose 108 and neck 104. Thesecond hoop 828 provides a tenting effect of the hood 832 improvereducing contact of the hood 830 with the person's face 105.

FIG. 11D is a line drawing showing a different embodiment of a hat andhood combination consistent with embodiments of the present invention.The hat and hood combination embodiment 835 is similar to the hat andhood combination 831 of FIG. 11C, however instead of a semi-rigid hoodexit border 775, there is a drawstring 838 along the bottom of the hood834. Certain embodiments envision the drawstring 838 only being able tobe cinched to loosely fit around a person's neck 104, such as forexample ½ an inch to 1 inch of space between the person's neck and thedrawstring 838.

FIG. 11E illustratively depicts a line drawing of yet a differentembodiment of a hat and hood combination consistent with embodiments ofthe present invention. The hat and hood combination embodiment 840 issimilar to the hat and hood combination 831 of FIG. 11C, however insteadof a full-brimmed hat 821, there is essentially a skullcap 839 with justand upper wire hoop 822 that creates a tenting effect together with thesecond hoop 828.

FIG. 11F is a line drawing that illustratively depicts a person wearingyet a different embodiment of a hat and hood combination 850 consistentwith embodiments of the present invention. The hat and hood combinationembodiment 850 is similar to the hat and hood combination 831 of FIG.11C, however instead of a wire armature, a clear plastic face shield 845is bonded to the plastic hood 200.

FIG. 11G is a line drawing that illustratively depicts a person wearingyet another embodiment of a hat hood combination 1000 consistent withembodiments of the present invention. In this embodiment, the person 100is wearing a hood that has a single molded hat shaped piece of plastic1004 and face shield 1002 bonded to a flexible plastic hood portion1006. The exit rim 775 is shown in this particular embodiment, howeverother configurations for the exit opening can be employed withoutdeparting from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a line drawing of a back view of a standing person wearing ahat and hood combination with a filter system consistent withembodiments of the present invention. The hat and hood combination 831shows the hat rim 823 encircling the back of the person's head 100 withthe exit border 775 resting on the person's shoulders and back. Whenpowered, the filter pump 854 pulls in unfiltered/ambient air through afilter media 852, which could be a HEPA filter or the like, pumpingfiltered air through the flexible hose/tube 202 and into the hood 830.In the present embodiment, the filter pump 854 is attached to theperson's waist via a belt 850. The universal connector 758 can beattached and detached from a nozzle (not shown) that extends from thefilter pump 854. Though in the present embodiment the pump is attachedto a belt on the person's waist, some embodiments envision the pumpbeing located just about anywhere including near or on a person's head100.

FIGS. 13A and 13B show an example of a universal connector systemconsistent with embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 13A is a linedrawing of a spring-loaded ring clamp 900 that can be used touniversally clamp a flexible tube 202 on any number of airplane air ventnozzles 120 and a portable filter pump nozzle, so long as they arewithin a ¼ to ½ inch difference in outer diameter. Other embodiments arenot limited to these diameter differences. As shown, a spring-loadedring clamp 900 has a spring-loaded ring 902 wherein the ring 902 becomesbigger when the two finger tabs 904 and 906 are squeezed together andbecome smaller when the two finger tabs 904 and 906 are released.

FIG. 13B illustratively depicts one embodiment of the attachment end ofthe flexible tube 202. In this embodiment, the flexible tube 202comprises a thin flexible rubberized top region 912 that loosely fitsover a nozzle. Whether the nozzle is tapered or a different shape therubberized top region 912 fits over the nozzle and the ring clamp 900clamps around the nozzle. The rubberized top region 912 is envision tobe a high friction, “sticky” rubber that when clamped around the nozzlewill be difficult to pull off without squeezing the two finger tabs 904and 906 together to open up the ring 902.

Certain embodiments envision perforations or at least one flap in thefront of the hood over the mouth 106 and nose 108 as a failsafe from thehood blocking the mouth 106 or nostrils 108. Certain other embodimentsadditionally envision providing airflow either with a perforated tube ordirected at the nose and mouth area of the hood always blowing filteredair out of the hood from the nose and mouth location if perforations alocated there. Some embodiments of the present invention envision theplastic could being disposable and between 0.5 μm and one 1 μm inthickness making it easy to tear off if a problem exists. Otherembodiments envision the hood being a disposable thin plastic hood thatis simply discarded after using for several hours.

With the present description in mind, below are some examples of certainembodiments illustratively complementing some of the methods andapparatus embodiments to aid the reader. The elements called out beloware examples provided to assist in the understanding of the presentinvention and should not be considered limiting.

In that light, as depicted primarily in FIG. 2, but also in the otherfigures, certain embodiment contemplate a protective airplane hoodarrangement comprising a hood 200 defining a hood interior 205 having anupper half 230 and a lower half 232 and further defining a hood crown212 that is configured to interface a human head apex 214. The hood 200is sized to cover a person's head 100 and terminating in a hood exitrim/opening 203 that is between a person's chin 112 and their shoulders102. A tube 202 extends between a proximal end 218 and a distal end 216wherein the distal end 216 comprises an overhead airplane ventilationnozzle coupling (coupling) 910. The proximal end 218 in communicationwith the hood interior 205 wherein the hood interior 205 incommunication with the coupling 910. The coupling 910 is configured toconnect to an overhead airplane ventilation nozzle 120. The tube 202 isconfigured to channel air 125 from the overhead airplane ventilationnozzle 120 and into the hood interior 205 within 4 inches vertically 222(in the vertical direction shown in FIG. 2) from the hood crown 212.

The protective airplane hood arrangement further imagining the hood exitrim 203 not covered by hood material.

The protective airplane hood arrangement further contemplating the hood200 being a unitary piece of clear plastic. This can further be whereinthe hood 200 has a thickness that is less than 2 μm.

The protective airplane hood arrangement further envisioning theproximal end 218 of the tube 202 being attached to the hood 200 via anaperture 206 in the hood 200. This can further be wherein the aperture206 is located within 3.5 inches from the crown 212 in a verticaldirection 222.

The protective airplane hood arrangement further pondering wherein thechanneled air 125 that is inside of the hood 200 exits only from thehood exit rim 203 when the coupling 910 is connected to the overheadairplane ventilation nozzle 120 and the channeled air 125 is provided bythe overhead airplane ventilation nozzle 120.

The protective airplane hood arrangement further considering the hoodexit rim 203 being configured to reside between a person's chin 112 anda person shoulder 102 when worn.

The protective airplane hood arrangement further imagining the hood 200comprising an armature 402 the provides stiffness to the hood, such as awire frame, for example.

The protective airplane hood arrangement further envisioning the hood200 comprising a clear plastic face shield 1002.

The protective airplane hood arrangement further comprising a safetyvalve 710 that is configured to permit outside air 725 from the outsideenvironment 210 to enter inside of the hood 200 only when the overheadairplane ventilation nozzle 120 does not provide channeled air 125 tothe hood 200.

The protective airplane hood arrangement further comprising a hatstructure 788 that cooperates with the hood 200. This can further bewherein the hat structure 788 is configured to dispense the channeledair 125, which in some embodiments is via the bill 781 on the hat 788.

The protective airplane hood arrangement further contemplating thechanneled air 125 flowing over a face 105 of the person 100.

Yet another embodiment of the present invention contemplates a hoodarrangement comprising a hood 200 defining a hood interior 205, a hoodcrown 212 and a hood exit rim 203. The hood exit rim 203 is configuredto pull over a person's head 100 until the hood 200 cover's the person'shead 100. A hollow tube 202 extends from the hood 200 and attaches to anoverhead airplane ventilation nozzle 120 at a distal tube end 216 of thetube 202 via an overhead airplane ventilation nozzle coupling (coupling)910. Pressurized air 125 that is dispensed from the overhead airplaneventilation nozzle 120 flows from a proximal end 218 of the hollow tube202 towards and through the hood exit rim 203.

The hood arrangement further contemplating the hood exit rim 203 beingconfigured to reside between a person's chin 112 and shoulder 102.

The hood arrangement further envisioning wherein the coupling 910includes a clamp 904 that clamps around the overhead airplaneventilation nozzle 120.

The hood arrangement further pondering wherein the hood 200 istransparent over at least a face portion 1002 of the hood 200.

Still other certain embodiments of the present invention contemplate anairplane filtered air hood system comprising a hood 200 configured tocover a person's head 100. The hood system further including a hollowtube 202 that extends from the hood 200 to be connected to an overheadairplane ventilation nozzle 120 via an overhead airplane ventilationnozzle coupling 910. A hood interior 205 of the hood 200 is incommunication with the overhead airplane ventilation nozzle 120 via thehollow tube 202. A hood exit rim 203 receives channeled filtered air 125from inside of the hood 200 wherein the filtered air 125 is exclusivelyprovided by the overhead airplane ventilation nozzle 120 via the hollowtube 202.

The above sample embodiments should not be considered limiting to thescope of the invention whatsoever because many more embodiments andvariations of embodiments are easily conceived within the teachings,scope and spirit of the instant specification.

It is to be understood that even though numerous characteristics andadvantages of various embodiments of the present invention have been setforth in the foregoing description, together with the details of thestructure and function of various embodiments of the invention, thisdisclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail,especially in matters of structure and arrangement of parts within theprinciples of the present invention to the full extent indicated by thebroad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims areexpressed. For example, though the embodiments teach and inexpensiveclear plastic hood, helmet and facemask with flexible plastic tube 202,other configurations could equally be used while still maintainingsubstantially the same functionality without departing from the scopeand spirit of the present invention. Other embodiments envision thesystem equally capable of being used with a standalone air filtrationsystem that can be battery-powered and carried with the user, such as ina backpack or on a belt, just to name several examples without departingfrom the overall concept of the present invention. Certain otherembodiments envision many attachment schemes to connect the flexibletube 202 to the air vent 120, such as clamps, expandable material on theend of the tube 202, adhesive, clips, etc. that would be known to thoseskilled in the art. Also, though the hoods 200 and 300 go to theshoulders and to the neck, respectively, other embodiments envisiongoing lower than the shoulders without departing from the presentinvention. Though most of the embodiments disclosed herein are directedto a hood that is essentially a bag with essentially a single opening topull over a person's head 100, certain other embodiments envision atubular hood snapping around a hat such as to a brim, the sides, etc.without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.Further, the terms “one” is synonymous with “a”, which may be a first ofa plurality. It should further be appreciated that any one or more ofthe elements depicted in one or more embodiments described herein can becombined with any one or more other elements described in conjunctionwith one or more other embodiments described herein.

It will be clear that the present invention is well adapted to attainthe ends and advantages mentioned as well as those inherent therein.While presently preferred embodiments have been described for purposesof this disclosure, numerous changes may be made which readily suggestthemselves to those skilled in the art and which are encompassed in thespirit of the invention disclosed.

What is claimed is:
 1. A protective airplane hood arrangementcomprising: a hood defining a hood interior having an upper half and alower half, the hood sized and configured to cover a person's head, thehood defining a hood crown configured to interface a human head apexthat extends to a hood exit rim, a tube 202 extending between a proximalend and a distal end, the distal end comprising an overhead airplaneventilation nozzle coupling (coupling), the proximal end incommunication with the hood interior, the hood interior in communicationwith the coupling, the coupling configured to connect to an overheadairplane ventilation nozzle, the tube 202 configured to channel air fromthe overhead airplane ventilation nozzle into the hood interior within 4inches vertically from the hood crown.
 2. The protective airplane hoodarrangement of claim 1 wherein the hood exit rim is not covered by hoodmaterial.
 3. The protective airplane hood arrangement of claim 1 whereinthe hood is a unitary piece of clear plastic.
 4. The protective airplanehood arrangement of claim 3 wherein the hood has a thickness that isless than 2 μm.
 5. The protective airplane hood arrangement of claim 1wherein the proximal end is attached to the hood via an aperture in thehood.
 6. The protective airplane hood arrangement of claim 5 wherein theaperture is located within 3.5 inches from the crown in a verticaldirection.
 7. The protective airplane hood arrangement of claim 1wherein the channeled air that is inside of the hood exits only from thehood exit rim when the coupling is connected to the overhead airplaneventilation nozzle and the channeled air is provided by the overheadairplane ventilation nozzle.
 8. The protective airplane hood arrangementof claim 1 wherein the hood exit rim is configured to be between aperson's chin and a person shoulder.
 9. The protective airplane hoodarrangement of claim 1 wherein the hood comprises an armature.
 10. Theprotective airplane hood arrangement of claim 1 wherein the hoodcomprises a clear plastic face shield.
 11. The protective airplane hoodarrangement of claim 1 further comprising a safety valve configured topermit outside air from the outside environment to enter inside of thehood only when the overhead airplane ventilation nozzle does not providechanneled air to the hood.
 12. The protective airplane hood arrangementof claim 1 further comprising a hat structure that cooperates with thehood.
 13. The protective airplane hood arrangement of claim 12 whereinthe hat structure is configured to dispense the channeled air.
 14. Theprotective airplane hood arrangement of claim 12 wherein the hatstructure is configured to dispense the channeled air via a bill on thehat.
 15. The protective airplane hood arrangement of claim 1 wherein thechanneled air is directed to flow over a face of the person.
 16. A hoodarrangement comprising: a hood defining a hood interior, a hood crownand a hood exit rim, the hood exit rim is configured to pull over aperson's head until the hood cover's the person's head, a hollow tubeextending from the hood and attached to an overhead airplane ventilationnozzle at a distal tube end via an overhead airplane ventilation nozzlecoupling (coupling); and pressurized air dispensed from the overheadairplane ventilation nozzle is arranged to flow from a proximal end ofthe hollow tube towards and through the hood exit rim.
 17. The hoodarrangement of claim 16 wherein the hood exit rim configured to residebetween a person's chin and shoulder.
 18. The hood arrangement of claim16 wherein the coupling includes a clamp configured to clamp around theoverhead airplane ventilation nozzle.
 19. The hood arrangement of claim16 wherein the hood is transparent over at least a face portion of thehood.
 20. An airplane filtered air hood system comprising: a hoodconfigured to cover a person's head; a hollow tube extending from thehood and connected to an overhead airplane ventilation nozzle via anoverhead airplane ventilation nozzle coupling (coupling); a hoodinterior of the hood in communication with the overhead airplaneventilation nozzle via the hollow tube; and a hood exit rim thatreceives channeled filtered air from inside of the hood, the filteredair exclusively provided by the overhead airplane ventilation nozzle viathe hollow tube.